Yep, this one’s a little cutie. It’s also going to be HofArc’s mobile office and model to showcase our Airstream high-design and craftsmanship.
I kid-you-not… this 1967 Caravel 17-footer wasn’t done but 15 minutes — literally — before Matthew hooked it up behind his Toyota Tundra and set his iPhone nav northward for a shake-down road trip to Oregon and Washington.
Gosh, wasn’t that nice of him to send a scenic picture postcard from Red Rock Canyon on his way to Mammoth Mountain for a little snowboarding along the way? Ah-h-h-h, the joys of taking your work on the road.
Our latest renovation is a fairly rare collector’s item due to its age and size — because smaller is better. It’s tough to imagine a more efficient use of a tiny space.
The solid hardwood flooring is a rich and warm redwood. Smooth white Zero VOC painted walls and laminated counter tops are accented by silver aluminum-edged cabinetry with turquoise blue acrylic drawer fronts. Sustainable 100% recycled white glass tiles wrap continuously from the kitchen to the bathroom.
This contemporary-styled Airstream is the “greenest” model we’ve created yet, topped off with a set of flexible solar panels on the roof. The coolest part is they follow the aerodynamic curvature so they blend right in. The panels supply 270 watts of power that can be collected on a sunny day, and when it’s cloudy there are three on-board batteries that provide ample renewable power storage for more than adequate work and entertainment. There’s even an iPod/iPhone audio connection for high-quality indoor and outdoor sound.
The low window at the front of the trailer called for a custom solution for a functional workspace. A cooktop and stainless steel sink were custom designed and fabricated to rest above the countertop surface, the end result effect is that they seem to float above the surface of the counter. A design first, unlike any other on the market today.
The bathroom features our signature stand-up shower with generous lav seating. Modern stainless faucetry and deepset sink. A mirror faces a tall closet to store linens and such, that is directly adjacent to the bathroom entry door. Both custom crafted doors are constructed of water-resistant frosted plexiglass sheets mounted with stainless never-rusting hardware.
And here’s something new… we added automated bed extensions so when it’s time to crash the bed expands and retracts with the flip of a switch.
Based on the reviews from the road, I’m guessing Matthew’s not getting very homesick. Sounds like “taking your work with you” never felt so good.
And please give us a call if you’d like an appointment to see it… we’re always looking for a good excuse to take our work on the road, especially if you live in Mammoth, Park City, Sun Valley, or Aspen.
Hi mate,
All your Airstream renovation look classic but modern. I like it very much. I’ve been thinking, searching to have this kind of Mobile Office for myself too. But the problem is we cannot get any Airstream down here in Australia.
I wish one day I could get this kind of office. Would like to know, for the interior fitout of this Caravel size, how much is the total cost? is it 1/3 of the price of the Caravel or more ?
Thanks
We’re woking on another Airstream bound for Australia as we speak. Let us know if we can help you with a renovation.
Hey Matt,
You do great work!! I have a gutted 72 Tradewind that I have just started my renovation project on and keep coming back to your site for inspiration. I like the layout of your 78 but am also thinking about a removable bunk above the pull-out sofa. It looks as if mine was originally the smaller bathroom w/ the exterior bulkhead closets. I’m thinking of keeping that layout b/c of the storage and the amount of time you actually spend in restroom. I have 2 questions for you on the caravel restroom. I want the restroom to be a “wetbath” and I was curious how you did the drainage for that teak floor. Seems as if you don’t have alot of room to top of the frame. Also, the back of the shower wall on the caravel seems a bit of a distance from the original wall. Is that a dead space behind the wall? Did you pull it further out for the height clearance? I’m 6 ft tall so I can understand that.
thanks again
Eric
Hey Eric,
I think the bunk above your pullout sofa would work.
The shower room floor is pretty complex… we built a recessed metal pan below the finished floor level, reinforced it with metal supporting frames, sloped the pan for drainage to a drain pipe… lots of welding and custom plumbing. Then we used a brush-on waterproofing substrate to seal it. There’s a water-tight closet behind the shower for storing linens and bathroom supplies.
One of the things I love about Airstreams and this little Caravel is they’re BIG on height. I’m 6’4″ and can stand up in the shower space. Enjoy your new shower!
Thanks Matt,
I had a feeling that shower floor was a little on the complex side. I’m just in the process of removing interior skin, insulation, etc, so I’m quite a ways from the bathroom and bunk. Just trying to get the layout nailed down. I’ve attached a link to my blog. Check it out.
http://72airstream.blogspot.com/
Thanks again!!
Do you have a buy guide? I have a 72 I was thinking of selling — but I find your renovations an inspiration to start work today.
We can probably help with your buying/selling questions. Feel free to contact us with more details about your ’72 and let us know if we can assist on your renovation.
Beautiful work. Just wondering about those “flexible” solar panels. Looks like you custom fit solar film onto pieces of aluminum. I’m thinking about doing a similar install myself – could you provide the name of the company you purchased them from (the film I mean)? Thanks!
Flexible solar panels are actually “semi flexible” They will only bend to about a 30 degree angle across the length of the panel. The reality is that this works just fine for installing along the roof of an airstream. The solar panels are sold as a single unit, in varying sizes. The base is stainless steel, not aluminum – just keep the panel installed off the surface of the aluminum to allow for airflow (and shading) so the metals do not touch. Look for “HQRP” as the manufacturer.